When she went down-stairs she encountered her father. He looked impressive, triumphant! His effort at evasion did not deceive Lenore. But she realized at once that in this instance she could not get any news from him. He said everything was all right and that I.W.W. men were to be deported from Washington. But he did not want any supper, and he had a low-voiced, significant interview with Dorn. Lenore longed to know what was pending. Dorn's voice, when he said at his door, "Anderson, I'll go!" was ringing, hard, and deadly. It frightened Lenore. Go where? What were they going to do? Lenore thought of the vigilantes her father had organized. Supper-time was an ordeal. Dorn ate a little; then excusing himself, he went back to his room. Lenore got through the meal somehow, and, going outside, she encountered Jake. The moment she questioned him she knew something extraordinary had taken place or was about to take place. She coaxed and entreated. For once Jake was hard to manage. But the more excuses he made, the more he evaded her, the greater became Lenore's need to know. And at last she wore the cowboy out. He could not resist her tears, which began to flow in spite of her. "See hyar, Miss Lenore, I reckon you care a heap fer young Dorn--beggin' your pardon?" queried Jake. "Care for him!... Jake, I love him." "Then take a hunch from me an' keep him home--with you--to-night." "Does father want Kurt Dorn to go--wherever he's going?" "Wal, I should smile! Your dad likes the way Dorn handles I.W.W.'s," replied Jake, significantly. "Vigilantes!" whispered Lenore. CHAPTER XX Lenore waited for Kurt, and stood half concealed behind the curtains. It had dawned upon her that she had an ordeal at hand. Her heart palpitated. She heard his quick step on the stairs. She called before she showed herself. "Hello!... Oh, but you startled me!" he exclaimed. He had been surprised, too, at the abrupt meeting. Certainly he had not been thinking of her. His pale, determined face attested to stern and excitable thought. He halted before her. "Where are you going?" asked Lenore. "To see your father." "What about?" "It's rather important," he replied, with hesitation. "Will it take long?" He showed embarrassment. "I--He--We'll be occupied 'most all evening." "Indeed!... Very well. If you'd rather be--_occupied_--than spend the evening with me!" Lenore turned away, affecting a disdainful and hurt manner. "Lenore, it's not that," he burst out. "I--I'd rather spend an evening with you than anybody else--or do anything." "That's very easy to say, Mr. Dorn," she returned, lightly. "But it's true," he protested. "Come out of the hall. Father will hear us," she said, and led him into the room. It was not so light in there, but what light there was fell upon his face and left hers in shadow. "I've made an--an appointment for to-night," he declared, with difficulty. "Can't you break it?" she asked.